Plate hanger



March 30, 1943'. B. D; OLVIPHANT 2,315,268

PLATE HANGER Filed March 30, 1942 INVENTOR wlmpwaw Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLATE HANGER Belle Davis Oliphant, Glendale, Calif. Application March 30, 1942, Serial No. 436,811

2 Claims.

The invention relates primarily to a means for effectively supporting in a suspended state, flat to a wall or the like, objects such as plates, plaques and similar articles for decorative efiect, display purposes or otherwise.

It is the object thus of the invention to pro- Vide a device for conveniently mounting in a removable manner, articles such as plates, plaques, pictures, cards and the like, and for suspending the same in secured relation, substantially vertically positioned against a background, wall or the like.

And a further object is to provide a device of said character readily adjustable to objects of varying sizes embraced in the aforementioned category, invisible in its application thereto, and

devoid of any objectionable features in its use therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear as this specification pro ceeds and as is set forth in the appended claims.

I attain these objects by the device described in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational View, and showing the device embracing a circular plate, and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing such plate partially in cross-section, and having one of the hook engaging means embracing the same.

Similar numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views. 'I'hus numeral I indicates a circular object or plate, 2 a plurality of hook means in engagement with a self-forming plate or the like embracing and suspending frame 3 suspenda-ble at 4 midway the longest plate engaging and embracing portion thereof, to a wall or the like.

For use as a suitable self-forming frame, I have used chain material with ideal results, although any material readily lending itself to the contour of the plate or other object to be suspended thereby, obviously ought to satisfactorily serve the purpose.

The hooks members 2 are specifically formed as best seen in Fig. 2. Thus they conform best to the average contour of plates, and in general, for other objects readily adaptable for show and/or display. They are juxtapositioned in a predetermined secured relation to the chain, for example, to properly conrform to the object intended to be embraced thereby, and to best meet said conditions, the device may readily be pro- I duced in varying size in keeping with the different sized plates, etc., the market affords.

At 4, the device may be hung in engagement with a hanging means, nail, hook, or otherwise as the case may be, by simply laying thereover, and, if desired, for purposes of concealment, may readily be adjusted to the desired length by simply connecting in overlapping engagement the required number of chain links to accomplish the same, or by a reduction of the chain length, obviously readily accomplished. Ordinarily, as produced, the device is concealed from the face of the plate as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, the overlapping hook portion comprising the only part of the device visible as is seen in Fig. 2. The small portion thereby shown, does not detract from a full view of the plate, and in no wise offers other objectionable features.

It should be apparent that an object embraced y the device as viewed in Fig. l, is adequately retained against dislodgment and shifting from whatever cause, and as viewed in Fig. 2, that .by reason of the shape of the hook members, coupled with the weight of the plate, the immediate frame portion is held taut and away from the back edge of the plate, and whereby the latter is supported flat against the wall.

An important feature of my invention is that the flexible element 3 extends between the hooks 2 in such manner as to avoid intersecting the apex of the convex side of the plate. The several portions lie between the center margin of the plate and are inwardly spaced from said apex, whereby the plate will lie flat and upright against the wall. It is this predominating feature that marks for my hanger a substantial and highly material function not characterised in any similar device to my knowledge the market affords.

Readily produced from materials the open market affords, and at no great cost, the device is extremely light in weight, and highly adapted for the purpose for which was conceived.

I am aware that changes in structure may from time to time readily suggest themselves, but within the scope of the herein invention. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact description of construction herein disclosed, but what I do claim is:

1. In a plate hanger, a plurality of hooks adapted to be hooked around the outer edge of a plate, a non-rigid element to which the hooks are juxtapositioned in a pre-determined secured relation at points so that the portions of the nonrigid element extending between the hooks do not intersect any mid-portion of the plate and lie between the outer edge of the plate and said mid-portion whereby the mid-portion may come into direct and flat contact with the wall, said non-rigid element providing a means whereby the plate may be suspended flat from that wall, the portion of the non-rigid element providing said wall attaching portion being of greater length than the other portions extending betweten said hooks and is located at the top of the p a e.

2. In a plate hanger, a plurality of hooks adapted to be hooked aroundthe outer edge of a plate, non-rigid plate hanger means to which the hooks are secured in a, pre-determined immovable manl0 length and to conceal the BELLE DAVIS OLIPHANT. 

